India football team lose to Singapore; knocked out of qualifying race

The Indian football team’s hopes of staying in the race for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers came to an end as Singapore came from behind to claim a 2-1 win in a Group C clash in Goa on Tuesday.

Lallianzuala Chhangte scored for the Indian football team in the 14th minute while Song Ui-young (44', 58') bagged a brace for Singapore.

India started the brighter of the two sides and took a lead in the 14th minute, with Lallianzuala Chhangte rifling a shot from distance into the net.

Chhangte then came close to creating another for Sunil Chhetri, only for Safuwan Baharudin to clear off the line, while Liston Colaco and Mahesh Singh Naorem were also denied by resolute defending and goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

However, India’s missed opportunities proved costly. Just before halftime, Song Ui-young levelled for Singapore with a low, precise strike into the bottom corner, and six minutes into the second half, he put Singapore ahead with his second goal of the night.

Despite India stepping up the pace in search of an equaliser, chances for Chhetri and Sahal Abdul Samad were wasted, allowing Singapore to hold on for the win. The defeat ended India’s campaign in the qualifiers.

The result leaves India with just two points from four matches, having earlier drawn 0-0 with Bangladesh and 1-1 with Singapore. India also lost 1-0 to Hong Kong China and sit fourth in the group, behind Bangladesh, while Hong Kong China and Singapore have secured qualification.

India will complete their campaign with matches against Bangladesh in November and Hong Kong China in March.

The Singapore forward, who was a thorn in the side of the Indian defence throughout the opening period, combined neatly with Shawal Anuar before slotting home and handing Singapore a 1-0 lead at the break.

Things went from bad to worse just after the restart when Sandesh Jhingan picked up his second yellow card and received his marching orders from the referee.

However, despite not creating too many chances in the second half, substitute Rahim Ali came off the bench to rescue a point for the Blue Tigers.

Rahim Ali’s introduction injected energy into India’s attack as his relentless pressing high up the pitch eventually paid off.

The Indian striker helped force an error from Singapore goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud before pouncing on the loose ball and calmly placing it into an empty net to keep India’s slim qualification hopes alive.

The Blue Tigers will face Singapore once again in their reverse AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Group C fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Tuesday.

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